Rotary Radio Auction is another great hit

March 21, 2013

ALPENA - The names of winning bidders of the 60th annual WATZ Rotary Radio auction should be posted today at watz.com.

Alpena Rotary Club members were busy finishing up the details after their effort raised $17,349, organizing committee chairman Bill Yaklin said Thursday.

Local businesses donated more than $27,000 worth of goods and services this year, providing more than 300 auction items, he said. A total of 2,304 bids were placed online and on air.

The auction began online March 12. By Tuesday and Wednesday, bids were also being taken by phone during WATZ 99.3 FM's on-air auction broadcast live from the Alpena Mall. Rotary club members worked in shifts, handling phone calls and bids between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., he said

Most popular was a portable $125 jump starter for automobiles, club member Eric Magness-Eubank said. Donated by Larry's Parts Haus, the item generated a total of 26 bids and sold for $102.

Nine yards of concrete valued at $918 from Lafarge North America brought in $835; a Mackinac Island Grand Hotel golfing package went for $355 and a charter flight and Traverse City shopping spree donated by Aviation North brought in $550.

The next step is for the winning bidders to pay for their items at the Bank of Alpena, 468 N. Ripley Blvd., Yaklin said. Items, such as gift cards, will be at the bank. Larger items will be available at Banner Realty or can be picked up at local businesses that donated the items. Payment receipts will provide that information.